%0 Journal Article
%T Signs of the Degenerate Age: the Desecration of Chorten and Lhakhang in Bhutan
%A Richard Whitecross
%J Journal of Bhutan Studies
%D 2000
%I Centre for Bhutan Studies
%X According to the official figures issued in July 1999, 136 lhakhangand 1,132 chorten had been subject to theft, arson, desecration andtheir caretakers attacked and murdered.3 The thefts and thedesecrations were a recurrent topic which fuelled discussion, and attimes, disagreement. Arguably, they serve as a metaphor for thechanges and the problems facing contemporary Bhutan.The events discussed focus on a major issue, which has causedwidespread concern amongst both the government and the ordinarypeople. As if to reinforce the significance of the chorten and lhakhang in Bhutan, there have been several recent examples which highlight their importance. One photograph in Kuensel showed a new¡°Enlightenment Stupa¡± erected by high school children at Daga HighSchool to mark the Silver Jubilee in 1999.4 More recently, in lateDecember 1999, the Khamsum Yuelly Namgyel chorten was formallyconsecrated in Punakha valley. It¡¯s purpose to ¡°help remove negativeforces and promote peace, stability and harmony in a changingworld¡±.
%K Bhutan
%K Lhakhang
%K chorten
%U http://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt/admin/pubFiles/7.signs.pdf